Bill O’Brien officially introduced as Texans new coach

After the Lady Gaga music silenced, after the early party atmosphere turned serious and after introductory remarks from owner Bob McNair and general manager Rick Smith, it was time for the new head coach of the Houston Texans.

Bill O’Brien scanned the packed area of the Reliant Stadium club level, then focused on the dozen TV cameras in the back that were broadcasting his comments around the country and into the nearby room of almost 100 Texans special guests.

“I would like to start by thanking Mr. McNair,” the 44-year-old said of his new boss.

From that moment, O’Brien owned the room.

This event was part press conference, part party. But it was all Bill O’Brien.

O’Brien didn’t give many direct answers about his plans for the Texans – we don’t know who he wants to draft or what defense he will use – but he spoke with extreme confidence and charisma, gesturing with his hands and looking questioners in the eyes. He was never distracted, even when a lady bug (they’re good luck, you know) crawled on his suit jacket.

“I’m really passionate about the Houston Texans because of the people I’ve met here,” O’Brien said. “I think this is a fantastic city, a football city. And I’m really looking forward to bringing a winning football team to Houston.”

O’Brien will meet with current Texans staff members Saturday. He looks forward to working with a “strong roster” that will “be fun to evaluate” but went 2-14, leading to Gary Kubiak’s firing and his hiring.

“It’s about accountability,” O’Brien said. “It’s about being demanding.”

O’Brien takes over the Texans after two seasons at Penn State. The Nittany Lions, hit hard by NCAA sanctions following the Jerry Sandusky scandal, went 15-9 with O’Brien at the helm.

Penn State was 8-4 in his first season, the first with a coach other than Joe Paterno since 1965. O’Brien won the Big Ten coach of the year award and the Bear Bryant Award for national coach of the year.

“He’s a great leader,” McNair said. “He has the ability to step in to a difficult situation and turn them around.”

“We expect to see great things happen immediately.”

O’Brien was with the New England Patriots organization for five seasons before leaving for Happy Valley. He returns to the NFL because, “I missed it.”

O’Brien, who was the offensive coordinator on the 2011 Patriots team that reached the playoffs, is the fourth assistant coach in three-time super Bowl champion Bill Belichick’s time in New England to earn an NFL head coaching job.

The other three — Romeo Crennel, Josh McDaniels and Eric Mangini – have gone a combined 72-119 with zero playoff victories. None of them is still a head coach.

But their NFL position was their first head-coaching job. O’Brien believes his time at Penn State will make a difference.

“I think anytime you’re a head football coach, there are so many different things that prepare you for whatever your job is as a head football coach,” O’Brien said. “There are so many things that come across your desk. You have to be a multi-tasker. You have to be organized. You have to be able to deal with all different kinds of people and personalities.

“I think in that regard, the two years at Penn State really helped me.”

The most famous incident from O’Brien’s time with the Patriots, seen millions of times on YouTube, was a screaming match he had with Hall of Fame-to-be quarterback Tom Brady.

“C’mon, man,” O’Brien said when asked about it on Friday. O’Brien shook his head and said, “these things happen. … It’s a competitive sport.”

There is no doubting O’Brien’s passion.

O’Brien, a New Englander by birth and a former defensive lineman at Brown, will yell at anyone if they deserve it. Curse at them, too. To paint him as the anti-Kubiak is wrong, but he will be a more animated coach for fans to see on the sidelines.

Injured linebacker Brian Cushing, as energetic a player as there is in the NFL, simply said, “I’m fired up to play for him.”

O’Brien is fired up to get started.

After he answered the final question, he stood up and grabbed a Texans helmet on the table in front of him. He stared at it for a split-second. And smiled.

He then tugged at the sleeves of his black suit, highlighted by the Texans tie and Texans pin. He’s not a suit guy. Hates them.

O’Brien was anxious to get where he’s more comfortable.

“The sooner I can get into my office and get started, the better,” he said.